Opening Report: Early Offers Hipster Polish 'Zappies'; Don Tapas Moves Into Falchi

Greenpoint: A cafe called Early just opened in Greenpoint. The signature dish is a Polish zapiekanka, or a zappie for short, which is a hollowed out baguette stuffed with caramelized onion, mushrooms, and garlic, topped with a blanket of fontina, chives, and truffle oil. Other sandwich options include a slow roasted pork sandwich, one made with chipotle marinated chicken thighs, and another with smoked salmon, sliced hard boiled egg, cucumber, and lemon dill yogurt. There vegan pastries and Toby's Estate Coffee, too. Status: Certified open. 967 Manhattan Avenue, 718-383-6963.

Courtesy of Don Tapas

Long Island City: Don Tapas is the Falchi Building's newest to-go lunch spot. The wooden counter offers Spanish, Peruvian, Venezuelan, and Colombian inspired tapas like pan con tomate (baguette with garlic, tomato, Serrano ham) and a Spanish tortilla. On Fridays, there's a ceviche special. Status: Certified open. 31-00 47th Avenue.

Facbeook

Harlem: The Handpulled Noodle shop is now open and making all of its noodles on site. The menu offers house specialties like "Old Beijing Bolognese," as well as a mix and match section so diners can pick their noodle style and sauce. Delivery should start in about a month, says Harlem Bespoke. Status: Certified open. 3600 Broadway.

Park Slope: Bagel and coffee shop Ollie & Ry recently opened in the old Bageltique space, notes Here's Park Slope. The house is curing its own fish, and a friend of the owners is making the bagels. There are also egg dishes for breakfast, and a few Asian sandwiches like a roast beef with Korean barbecue sauce and kimchee slaw. Status: Certified Open. 242 5th Avenue.

Williamsburg: Israeli restaurant 12 Chairs, which has operated in Soho for 20 years, just soft opened its second location in Williamsburg. The menu ranges from lamb burgers to shakshuka, and on weekends includes the hard-to-find Yemenite bread dish jachnun, which is cooked overnight with date syrup, eggs, and crushed tomatoes. Status: Soft open. 342 Wythe Avenue.

Bushwick: The very brightly colored La Lupe Cantina started serving grilled corn, pozole, queso fundido with chorizo, tacos, and burritos, about a month ago, according to Brownstoner. The menu also offers perros gordos (overweight dogs), which is sausage with bacon, cole slaw, and chipotle mayo. Status: Certified open. 9 Jefferson Street, 347-715-2455.

Tribeca: American restaurant Almond just opened its third location. The menu here hasn't changed much. The Brussels sprouts two ways are still available and so is the steak frites. The one notable addition is a selection of "small things" to snack on. Status: Certified open. 186 Franklin Street, 212-431-0606.

Alphabet City: A very modern looking French-Moroccan restaurant/hookah lounge called Casablanca recently opened, notes Gothamist. In addition to a hummus mezze platter, there are mushroom ravioli, and Greek moussaka. Hookahs are nicotine and tobacco free, so this place should be safe from the Health Department. Status: Certified open. 189 East 3rd Street, 212-982-3838.

East Village: Edgar Villongco tried to open a cafe in the neighborhood in 2012, but couldn't swing a liquor license, so he opened a scooter shop called Urban Motion. Several years later, he's closed the scooter shop and has finally opened his cafe, Raclette. In addition to the restaurant's namesake dish (melted cheese over potatoes), the French restaurant offers croques and tartines, says EV Grieve. Status: Certified open. 195 Avenue A.

Flatiron: Last week, fast growing European chain Sushi Shop opened its second store in New York City. Options include maki, hand rolls, tartares, ceviches, chirashi bowls, and more, and there are plans for four more outposts before the year is out.  Status: Certified open. 323 Park Avenue South, 212-840-5555.

Midtown: Juniper Bar opened late last week serving a lobster club with bacon and lemon aioli, a spicy "fire breathing burger," and cheese steak spring rolls. The bar is outfitted with USB outlets for charging phones and the like, and there are giant TV's too, because this is Midtown. Status: Certified open. 237 West 35th Street.

Lower East Side: Cafe de Nora opened recently right near the new Pies ‘n' Thighs and close to where Dimes is expanding. The American menu offers several omelets, lots of sandwiches and salads. At least for the moment, there's no liquor license, notes Bowery Boogie. Status: Certified open. 34 Canal Street.